APrON Study

Back to school is exciting for many but not all. For some, particularly sexually and gender diverse youth, it can mean facing bullying, harassment, & violence.

💬 PREVNet offers free resources for educators, parents, caregivers, youth & service providers.

Access training & info at 👉 prevnet.ca

How do changes in cheek cell composition affect DNA testing in children?

One study used APrON data to look at how age affects cheek swab cell composition, and how this may impact tools used to measure development.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

It's consent awareness week! Do you know the 4 Cs of consent?

Consent must be Clear, Continuous, Coercion-free and Conscious.

When we understand consent, we don’t just prevent harm - we help dismantle the silence, shame, and stigma that survivors of sexual violence often face.

APrON findings have shown that consuming eggs & milk during pregnancy increased mothers’ likelihood of meeting choline intake recommendations. These findings have contributed to the European Food Safety Authority dietary reference values.

Check out apronstudy.ca/policy-impac... for more!

Today we hear from one of our APrON participants about their experience in the study. Since 2009, APrON has been following mother-baby pairs in Alberta. If you are an APrON parent or youth looking to reconnect with the study, visit our website: apronstudy.ca.

📌📚 The school year is in full swing, and while it’s an exciting time of learning and growth, it can also bring stress and anxiety for children and youth. Recognizing the signs is key to supporting them.

Our 15-year follow-up is currently underway with the goal to understand how early life shapes mental health by age 15. We are currently offering incentives for our participants who complete the 15-year data collection. Want more information? Check out our website!

Have you had a chance to read the newest APrON paper? This study examined the associations between maternal exposure to certain chemicals (trace elements & PFAS), and alterations in the HPA axis during pregnancy.

Read the full paper:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

We want your feedback! Our APrON participants are invited to complete our feedback survey to share about their experience in our study! Participants who complete this feedback survey may receive a $25 gift card.

Find it on our Get Involved page or the link below: apronstudy.ca/apron-partic...

GIVEAWAY TIME! We will be giving away another iPad!

1. Follow our page (1 entry)
2. Like this photo (1 entry)
3. Tag a friend in the comments! (each additional comment counts as an extra entry)
4. Follow us on our other platforms

This giveaway will close on September 6, 2025!

Dr. Nicole Letourneau was featured on the Now You Know with Rob Snow show! She discussed parenting in the summer including balancing supervision and independence and the importance of unstructured play.

Tune at the 8 minute mark to hear Nicole’s interview:

vancouver.citynews.ca/podcasts/now...

APrON research has shown that higher iron levels reduce depression symptoms in pregnancy and has influenced Ontario’s updated guidelines to improve detection. However, nationwide updates are needed to better address this issue and its long-term effects.

Read more: apronstudy.ca/policy-impacts

Perinatal depression is a critical issue in Canada. APrON’s PI, Dr. Letourneau, has helped to contribute to guidelines for mental health during pregnancy & postpartum. Through this, APrON has shaped national & international guidelines for mental health.

Read more: apronstudy.ca/policy-impacts

Our giveaway is now closed! We will be contacting the winner soon so keep a look out in your DMs. Keep checking out our account for more giveaways throughout the summer!

Today is #ActionAnxietyDay, a national day of awareness that invites us to take action, speak up, and support those living with anxiety disorders. It’s about reducing stigma, educating others, and building systems of care that make healing possible.

🎉 Our APrON participant webpage is now live, designed just for our APrON moms and youth, making it easier to stay connected with the study and get involved. Looking to get more involved? You can find all the details — including available incentives — on the new webpage.

apronstudy.ca/reconnect/

🌈 June is #PrideMonth! Pride Season is an opportunity to learn more about the history and resilience of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. This month, and every day, we celebrate inclusivity, love, and acceptance for everyone.

This month is #SexualViolencePreventionMonth, a time to raise awareness, support survivors, & advocate for change. Misinformation fuels stigma and silence—by addressing these myths, we can help create a culture that believes survivors, holds perpetrators accountable, & works toward a safer future.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month - a time to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma. Misinformation fuels stigma and silence so today we are busting common myths and sharing facts about mental health.

Sometimes, people hide how they’re really feeling by “masking” their emotions by putting on a brave face. This can make it harder to get the help and support they need. Talking openly about mental health can help break the stigma.

cmha.ca/mental-healt...

This month is Sexual Violence Prevention Month. It’s a time to raise awareness, support survivors, and promote education. Awareness starts at home, and open, age-appropriate conversations with your child help build trust and lay the foundation for safety and respect.

@apronstudy on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook – each follow counts as an extra entry!

This giveaway is only available to those residing in Canada.

GIVEAWAY! We will be giving away an iPad

How to enter:
1. Follow us (1 entry)
2. Like this photo (1 entry)
3. Tag a friend in the comments! (each comment = an extra entry!)
4. Follow us on our other platforms for an extra entry

The winner will be announced on June 15, 2025!

May is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth—a great time to start talking about mental health and help stop the stigma. These conversations can start at home. When kids learn to talk about their feelings, they become better at handling stress and tough situations.

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers doing their best every single day, seen or unseen! We hope your day brings moments of peace, gratitude, and the care you so often give to others. 🌷

This month is Sexual Violence Prevention Month. It's a time to raise awareness, support survivors, and promote education. Awareness starts at home. Open conversations with your youth helps build trust and lay the foundation for safety and respect.

Today is World Maternal Mental Health Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about maternal mental health issues and the importance of support services for new and expectant mothers.

#maternalMHmatters #StrongerTogether

Today, on the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People, we honour and remember the Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have been disproportionately impacted by violence across Canada.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Let’s break the stigma and talk about mental health this month. 1 in 5 people face mental health challenges yearly.

Stay tuned this month as we share more information and resources for mental health - for everyone!

DEHP is found in plastic products, food, & water. We wanted to see if exposure to DEHP during pregnancy affected how often kids get sick. We found that more exposure to DEHP during pregnancy, kids between 12-18 months got sick more often, especially boys.

doi.org/10.3390/epig...